1. Incident Command System (ICS) - Review -
Santa Clara County Fire Officer Academy
Incident Command System (ICS) - Review -
Steve Prziborowski
May 2008

2. Incident Command System Definition
An Incident Management System using:
a common organizational structure
assigned incident resources
stated objectives

3. Elements of an effective Incident Management System
Suitable for use regardless of jurisdiction or agency involved
The organizational structure must be able to adapt to an incident regardless of how complicated
Expandable in a logical manner from initial response to a major emergency so as not to have one plan for "everyday" use and a separate plan for "the big one”
Basic common elements in organization, terminology, and procedures

4. The Incident Command System (ICS) as a Management Tool
Ensures Unity of Command in that each individual participating in the operation only reports to one supervisor.
Provides a standard set of terms for communicating designation of resources and facilities. Plain English is used rather than 10-codes.
Lines of authority provide for lines of communication. This means that the right people receive the proper messages because all communications follow the chain.
Provides for Span of Control which is the number of subordinates one supervisor can manage effectively
(3-7 with 5 preferred).

5. ICS as a Management Tool (cont.)
Has all-risk design. Confusion is reduced by the fact that the same methods are used regardless of the type of situation and agencies involved.
Provides for safety of personnel. All persons are accounted for and efforts are coordinated in a manner which provides for the safety of all persons.
Provides for modular expansion. As either the incident enlarges or additional resources become available, span of control continues to meet the needs.
Improved resource utilization. With a clear organizational structure, each resource can concentrate on its assignment and eliminate duplication of effort.

6. ICS should be used for all incidents…not just the “big ones”.
Why?

8. Span of Control range is three to seven

9. OPTIMUM SPAN OF CONTROL IS ONE TO FIVE

10. Branch
That organizational level having functional or geographic responsibility for major segments of incident operations (such as Air Ops, Service or Support).
The Branch level that is organizationally between Sections and Divisions/ Sectors/Groups (>5).

11. BRANCHES MAINTAIN SPAN OF CONTROL
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF BRANCHES
Geographic
Branches

12. LOGISTICS SECTION CHIEF
BRANCHES (continued)
Functional
Branches
LOGISTICS SECTION CHIEF
SERVICE BRANCH
SUPPORT BRANCH
Communications Unit
Medical Unit
Food Unit
Facilities Unit
Supply Unit
Ground Support Unit

13. DIVISIONS Will always divide an Incident geographicallyB C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
STRUCTURE
INCIDENT
HAZMAT OR WILDFIRE
INCIDENT

14. GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS:1 2 3 4 5 6 7
OUTER
INNER
PERIMETER
PERIMETER

15. GROUPS POOL SPECIALIZED RESOURCE TEAMS or
ESTABLISH FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF OPERATION

16. FUNCTIONAL GROUPS:

18. E-x-p-a-n-d-a-b-l-e

19. In ICS, common terminology is applied to:
Organizational elements:
Sections, Units, Divisions, etc.
Position Titles:
Officers, Chiefs, Leaders, Managers
Resources:
Engine, Truck, Tanker, Crew, Dozer
Facilities:
Base, Helispot, Camp, ICP, Helibase

20. ICS Integrated Communications
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
FREQUENCY AND RESOURCE USE PLANNING
INFORMATION TRANSFER PROCEDURES

21. “Clear Text“
The use of plain English in radio communications transmissions.
No Ten Codes, or agency specific codes are used when using clear text.

22. TWO WAYS TO ORGANIZE INCIDENT COMMANDB A C
SINGLE
COMMAND
UNIFIED COMMAND

23. MANAGING AN INCIDENT USING UNIFIED COMMANDB C
UNIFIED COMMAND A B C
OBJECTIVES AND
STRATEGY INCIDENT
ACTION PLAN
OPERATIONS
SECTION CHIEF
HAZMAT
INCIDENT
DIV. A
DIV. B
DIV. C

24. Under Unified Command there will always be:
A single, coordinated IAP
One Ops Section Chief
One Incident Command Post
A Unified Ordering Point

25. Reasons to Transfer Command
More qualified person assumes command.
A jurisdiction or agency change in command legally required or makes good management sense
Normal turnover of personnel on long or extended incidents.

26. Upon arrival at the Incident a Higher Ranking Officer shall:
1. ASSUME COMMAND or
2. MAINTAIN COMMAND or
3. REASSIGN COMMAND to a third party or
4. FILL ANOTHER ICS POSITION

27. TRANSFER OF COMMAND BRIEFING
What have we got
What do we need
Basically the who, when, where, what, why
Incidents current status & prognosis?
The plan of action?
Current strategy/tactics
Any resources at scene, enroute and / or ordered?
Current ICS structure
Any related issues or concerns?
Basically the info from the ICS 201 Form

30. THE COMMAND STAFF: COMMAND STAFF INCIDENT COMMANDER INFORMATION
LIAISON
SAFETY
INCIDENT
COMMANDER
OPERATIONS
PLANNING
LOGISTICS
FINANCE
COMMAND
STAFF
7-12

32. Incident Commander “IC”

33. Incident Commander Responsibilities
The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations.
Establishes a command organization.
Assesses situation, determines scope of incident, and prioritizes the problem.
Evaluates overall strategy on a continual basis.
Directs activities and maintains communications with Command Staff, Plans, Logistics, and Operations.

34. INCIDENT COMMANDER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Keep agency administrator informed of incident status
Approve the use of students, volunteers, and auxiliary personnel
Authorize release of information to the news media
Order the demobilization of the incident

35. IC - ESTABLISHES THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
FIRST PRIORITY IS INCIDENT SAFETY
People involved in incident
Responders
Other emergency workers
Bystanders

36. IC - ESTABLISHES THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
SECOND PRIORITY IS INCIDENT STABILIZATION
Protect the public
Sufficient kinds of resources?
Sufficient sized organization?

37. Command Staff They report directly to the Incident Commander
INFORMATION
OFFICER
SAFETY
OFFICER
They report directly to the Incident Commander
LIAISON
OFFICER

38. Safety Officer

39. Safety Officer Responsibilities
A Command Staff member responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards, unsafe situations, and developing measures for ensuring personnel safety.
Identify existing and potential hazards
Keep all personnel informed of existing and potential hazards
Correct unsafe acts or conditions and exercise emergency authority to prevent unsafe acts when immediate action is needed
Investigate accidents within the incident area

40. Liaison Officer Several agencies will be sending personnel
IC can no longer provide sufficient time for all representatives
Two or more jurisdictions may be involved

41. Agency Representative
An individual assigned from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated full authority to make decisions on all matters affecting that agency’s participation.
Agency Representatives report to the Liaison Officer.

42. Information Officer
Responsible for interface with the media or other appropriate agencies requiring information directly from the scene.
Member of the Command Staff.

43. GENERAL STAFF POSITIONS
THE GENERAL STAFF:
INCIDENT
COMMANDER
PLANNING
FINANCE
OPERATIONS
LOGISTICS
GENERAL STAFF POSITIONS
07-17

44. Operations Chief

45. Operations Chief Responsibilities
Responsible for all tactical operations at the incident.
Supervises emergency operations
Establishes communication procedures with IC and subordinates
Determines need for immediate and anticipated resources
Requests periodic progress reports from Division/Group Supervisors

49. ICS RESOURCE STATUS CONDITIONS
“AVAILABLE”
(Within 3 Minutes)
“OUT OF SERVICE”
(usually mechanical reasons)
“ASSIGNED”
(or “Committed”)

50. PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY MAINTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF:
CHECK-IN FORM
RESOURCE STATUS
KEEPING SYSTEM
UNITY OF COMMAND

51. PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALSO MAINTAINED THROUGH :
DIVISION C
DIVISION A
DIVISION B
UNIT LOG
UNIT LOG
UNIT LOG
UNIT LOG
DIVISION / GROUP
ASSIGNMENT
LISTS
UNIT LOGS

52. Technical Specialists
Personnel with special skills who are activated only when needed. Technical Specialists may be needed in the areas of fire behavior, water resources, environmental concerns, resource use, or training.
Technical Specialists report initially to the Planning Section but may be assigned anywhere within the ICS organizational structure as needed.

53. “ Incident Action Plan “ or IAP
The strategic goals, tactical objectives, and support requirements for the incident.
All incidents require some form of an Action Plan!
For simple incidents the Action Plan is not usually in written form.
Large or complex incidents will require that the Action Plan be documented in writing.

54. The IAP

55. COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED
Command Net
Tactical Nets
Support Net
Ground-to-air
Air-to-air
02-17

56. INCIDENT
COMMAND
POST
Location where primary command functions are performed
Only one per incident
May be located with other facilities (plans, base)
Normally not relocated
The communications center is often located with the ICP
The incident commander will be at the ICP

57. RESPONSE GUIDELINES: Assemble or update a travel kit
Prepare personal items you will need
Review your emergency assignment
Know to whom you will report and what your responsibility will be
Ensure that family members know your destination and how to contact you

58. INFORMATION NEEDED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR INCIDENT ASSIGNMENT
Incident type and name or designation
Incident check-in location & time
Travel instructions
Communications instructions
Resource order number & request number
Your unit’s radio designation
06-04

59. INCIDENT CHECK-IN LOCATIONS
Incident Command Post: Resources Unit
Base Or Camp(s)
Staging Areas
Helibase

60. FOR DIRECT TACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORT TO YOUR:
DIVISION / GROUP SUPERVISOR OR OPERATIONS SECTION CHIEF OR INCIDENT COMMANDER
However, at the end of first operational period, ensure that you have checked in at the
Appropriate check-in location!
06-06

61. RESOURCE STATUS KEEPING SYSTEMS
T-Cards
CREWS OH A/C
E 2466
Incinet & ROSS

62. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN I.C.S.
TASK FORCES
Combination of
Single resources
STRIKE TEAM
Combination of same
Kind and type

63. KINDS OF RESOURCES:
Overhead
Crews
Equipment
Aircraft

64. TYPES OF ENGINES:
TYPE 1
TYPE 3
Pass around the FOG...

65. ADVANTAGES TO RESOURCE TYPING
Helps plan for resource needs
In ordering resources
In monitoring effectiveness of resource use

66. WAYS OF ORDERING RESOURCES
AS A SINGLE RESOURCE (1-onion)
AS A TASK FORCE (various veggies)
AS A STRIKE TEAM (5 lbs of onions)

67. EXAMPLES OF A SINGLE RESOURCE

68. EXAMPLE OF A MIXED RESOURCES to form a TASK FORCE:

69. REQUIREMENTS TO BE A STRIKE TEAM:
Same kind and type of resources
Must have a leader
Communications between resources and leader
Must have transportation (as required)
Operates within span of control limits (3-7)

70. SUMMARY CONSIDERATIONS
Correct / report harassment or discrimination
Do not use alcohol or drugs
Represent agency & self professionally
06-12

71. Questions?

72. www.code3firetraining.com website
Contact Information
Steve Prziborowski
cellular
website